Got a call from a friend. His son (travel ball teammate of our son)is in college far away. Was recruited locally but opted for higher scholarship offer out of state.
Now, instead of no returning guys for his position as he was promised, there are 4 guys, 2 Sr , 1 Jr and 1 soph. It has been hinted he might redshirt, and he wants no part of it. Really feels there is just not the right "fit" with the school or the baseball program.
So his dad asks me what are the rules and etiquette for transferring (he knows I surf here and other baseball sites). I said I would check it out. Here's a recap of what I learned after a search, and then a question or two for the Board:
He can transfer from his D-1 to any non-Ncaa school (Juco, NAIA) without restriction; he can even transfer now and still play this year;
To go to an NCAA school, he must first get "permission to contact" from his current AD before talking to anyone, and then when he finds a school, he needs a release from the AD allowing him to use the one-time transfer provision, in order to play next year. If he doesn't get the release, he can transfer, but cannot play till the following year. He also must finish the academic year at his current school for any of the above to apply.
Now, if I am right about all that, to the questions.
Does the "permission to contact" go to the player (applicable to all schools) or to each school who wants to talk?
How do you go about bringing it up with your coach (hoping to avoid his getting angry and bad-mouthing you to potential transfer schools)?
When should he bring this up ? (he says his son might start
the season as a red shirt, but be activated later due to other players injuries or poor performance, and doesn't want to be in the dog house and not get playing time if that happens later in the season).
Should he go straight to the AD's office and bypass the coach?
What happens if they deny the release?
Your advice will be passed on and appreciated.
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